Since I am an obssessive collector on the hunt for Disneyland photographs, I am always looking at snapshots at swap meets. This is one that was found in a bunch of other 1940s snapshots, the original Don the Beachcomber Himself sign in Hawaii. I like the tiki poles which bracket the sign. Take a look:

Three vintage 8x10 photos of a Luau taken at the Don The Beachcomber in Waikiki were just sold on eBay. I managed to win one of them, but thought I'd post all three eBay photos here as a historical reference. The photographer was Billy Howell, and he looks like he was a professional. Wonder if these were slated to be publicity photos.

These pictures really capture the informality and "escape from the gray flannel suit" quality that first a trip to the islands, and later a visit to a mainland Polynesian restaurant meant for mid-century men and women --(even though they did not dress up to THAT extent on their mainland forays).

On 2008-07-18 09:37, bigbrotiki wrote:These pictures really capture the informality and "escape from the gray flannel suit" quality that first a trip to the islands, and later a visit to a mainland Polynesian restaurant meant for mid-century men and women --(even though they did not dress up to THAT extent on their mainland forays).

Sven - good point. I hadn't really connected the two experiences: going to a Luau in Hawaii and re-living the experience at a Poly-pop restaurant here in the States. It gives another hint why Tiki restaurants were so popular here. After having an experience like the folks in these photos are having, I can see why you'd want to re-visit that atmosphere again once you got home.

Thank you. As a point of caution though: These DO look like they are not your average Don's Luau, but professionally shot, perhaps for promotional purposes. Like Don called all his friends and said: Everybody dress in island gear and come on over for a photo shoot...

But then again, I seem to remember from invites I have seen that Aloha garb was mandatory at the Waikiki Beachcomber Luaus, so these could not have been that far off.
And anyway, just like with the material I chose for the BOT and Tiki Modern, we shall be not concerned with the REALITY and mediocre examples of Polynesian pop, but embellish and perpetuate it in its highest forms only, and THAT will become our reality --so these ARE what ALL Luaus looked like, period!

PS: Are these from the same seller that has been selling off Don the B. Waikiki photos bit by bit?

I've got a Don the Beachcomber brochure that has a shot of a Luau where the patrons are dressed up in Hawaiian garb as well, so it may be that this was more of the norm than just a publicity pic. Don't have time to post the brochure now, will follow up later.

On 2008-07-18 09:37, bigbrotiki wrote:These pictures really capture the informality and "escape from the gray flannel suit" quality that first a trip to the islands, and later a visit to a mainland Polynesian restaurant meant for mid-century men and women --(even though they did not dress up to THAT extent on their mainland forays).

Swanky, two reminders:

Don The Beachcomber = Pre-Tiki

Tiki Culture = Tiki Mugs = Mainland, not Hawaii

Well, Don started here and went there later. When did the Tiki mug start? I always also assumed the Don bust mug was a Hawaii mug. The lamps on the table are the sort that are in later Tiki establishments.

On 2008-07-18 09:46, Sabu The Coconut Boy wrote:After having an experience like the folks in these photos are having, I can see why you'd want to re-visit that atmosphere again once you got home.

... which is now why, since most of us don't have a good local tiki establishment to go to, many of us bring that atmosphere into the home in the form of a home tiki bar. (My mind's on that because my back aches right now from construction of our home Palace du Tiki.)

Also notice in those photos there are no tattoos or multiple piercings! Not that there's anything wrong with that...